On 22June the Australian National Final of La Chaîne des RôtisseursYoung Sommeliers Competition was held at the InterContinental Hotel in Sydney.Sevenwinners of State competitions from around Australia battled it out in a number of gruelling test of knowledge and skills for a chance to represent Australia at the International Final in Adelaide on 25 September.

Judges were Franck Moreau MS, Group Sommelier Merivale and Mark Protheroe Head Sommelier Grossi Group with John Studdert, Echanson of La Chaîne Australia as Chairman of the Jury. Tamrah Petruzzelli,National Brand and Marketing Manager of The Adelaide Review | HOT 100 Wines | The Melbourne Review was also in Sydney to invite the winner to be a judge for the 2015 Hot 100 wine competition.

Norm Harrison the Bailli Délégué of Australia congratulated all the competitors for reaching the finals of this prestigious Chaine des Rotisseurs2015 SommeliersCompetition and said he is looking forward to seeing the winner, members and guests at the 2015 International Competition to be held in Adelaide 24-26 September. He also acknowledged the generous support of InterContinental Sydney’s GM JörgBöckeler, Irvine Wines Marketing Manager Peter Schrader and Judith KennedyChief Executive Officer,Association of Australian Boutique Winemakers.

Australia has beenhighly successful within the International Competitionin recent years. Last year Australia took out Gold in Copenhagen, Denmark when Pier-Alexis Souliere formally of Est. was crowned World Champion, and in 2013 in Washington, USAJarrod Mills also of Est. came in third.

John Studdert, Echanson, La Chaîne Australia and Chairman of the Jury said that ‘Following Pier-Alexis Souliere’s win in Copenhagen, and that Australia is hosting the International Finals in Adelaide, I am very excited for our prospects this year. It would be wonderful to see us take out Gold at home’

This competition provides a great opportunity for emerging Australian sommeliers to hone their skills and become exposed to the international sommelier community. The standard of the competition itself is designed to assist in the development of these high achieving sommeliers.

This competition is gaining strong support from the industry itself with the InterContinental Sydney as Hospitality Partner, plus the Association of Australian Boutique Winemakers, Riedel, red+white, Irvine Wines, and Travelodge as sustaining sponsors.